Latex hypersensitivity in emergency medical service providers

Emergency medical service providers have a high degree of exposure to latex products. Patients utilizing emergency medical services can be allergic to latex products used during rescue efforts.

To determine the prevalence of latex hypersensitivity among emergency medical service providers.

Study questionnaires were distributed to a group of emergency medical service providers. Skin prick testing was performed using latex, common aeroallergens, and food extracts. Patch testing was done using latex and individual rubber additives. Serum latex-specific IgE was also measured.

A total of 93 completed surveys were collected. Average exposure to latex in the work environment was 8.2 years. Eighty-four (90%) used latex gloves routinely at work. Of those, thirteen (14%) gave history of reaction to latex gloves. Sixty-two percent were not aware of the possibility of latex allergy in themselves or their patients. Forty-one (44%) had skin testing. Of those, four (10%) had positive prick tests for at least one of the four latex preparations used. Five had positive skin tests to avocado extract without supporting clinical history. Two had positive skin tests to banana, one with supporting clinical history for banana allergy. No food cross-reactivity with latex was demonstrated. Latex-specific serum correlated with prick skin test results. No positive reactions were noted with patch testing.

A significant percentage of emergency medical service providers were not aware of the occupational risk of latex allergy or the potential risk in their patients. A positive prick skin test for latex was present in 4 of 41 (10%), representing one-third of those who reported symptoms from latex exposure.